Fantasy Football Impact: NFL News and Notes (6/24)

Believe it or not, fantasy football fanatics: We are only about five weeks away from NFL teams reporting to training camp.

Some of the teams that hired new coaches in the off-season are in the midst of their second minicamp (teams with returning coaches only get one).

But other NFL coaches and players are taking their final vacations with friends and family before the rigors of a long NFL campaign begins with the opening of training camp in late July or early August.

No matter whether your favorite NFL teams or players are working hard at minicamp or on vacation, it is time to start preparing for the upcoming fantasy football season.

Just as the off-season can make or break an NFL team, the off-season could make or break your fantasy football team. The more prepared you are for your upcoming fantasy football draft this summer, the better chance you will have of dominating your league.

So, as you anxiously await the upcoming unveiling of the 2009 Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets Webazine, please enjoy the following news and notes from around the NFL.

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Houshmandzadeh having good off-season with Seattle

Reports out of Seattle are that wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is having a good off-season in his first season with the Seattle Seahawks. The News Tribune reports that Housh has picked up the offense well and has developed some chemistry with Seahawks' quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck.

Houshmandzadeh signed a multi-year deal with the Seahawks in the off-season and is expected to become the teams top wide receiver in 2009.

The Seahawks were decimated by injuries in 2008 when they lost their top two wide outs, Deion Branch and Nate Burleson, for extended periods of time. Rookie tight end, John Carlson, led the Seahawks with 55 catches for 627 yards and five touchdowns.

Even with Branch and Burleson expected to be healthy heading into training camp, Houshmandzadeh should be an upgrade at the position. He has had three consecutive 90+ reception seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Housh should lead the team in receiving this season and should be targeted as a WR2 in fantasy drafts, drafted somewhere between rounds four and five.

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Jennings and Packers appear close to a contract extension

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Green Bay Packers' wide receiver Greg Jennings said that he and the Packers are close to an agreement on a contract extension.

Terms were not disclosed, nor was a date on which the contract could be done, but it does appear he and Green Bay would like to get a deal done before training camp begins.

Many were expecting a big year from Jennings this season, as it appeared he would be playing for a new contract, but even if he signs an extension before the season starts, there is plenty of reason to believe he will have a very productive season.

He had 80 catches for 1,292 yards (both career highs) with nine touchdowns in 2008, and he has improved his reception and yardage totals over each of his first three NFL seasons.

He has had 21 touchdowns over the past two seasons, and he should once again be the No. 1 receiving option for second year quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Jennings should be considered a WR1 heading into fantasy drafts this summer, likely going in the second or third round.

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Kevin Smith wants to be workhorse in Detroit

Earlier this off-season the Detroit Lions' second-year running back Kevin Smith made a statement, promising the Lions would make a playoff appearance this season. That is obviously a very bold statement, considering the Lions completed the first ever 0-16 season in NFL history in 2008.

It does appear that Smith is ready to do whatever he can to help make the Lions competitive once again. He recently blogged on his official website, smith34.com, that he is going to work hard over the next five weeks or so to be in tip-top shape heading into training camp.

He also stated that he wants to be a workhorse runner for the Lions. Smith said he is heading down to Miami and his training camp starts as soon as he gets off the plane in Miami.

He added that he is in pretty good shape now, but he is going to train and get on the right diet, so he can get his legs strong and condition himself to perform at a high level at training camp.

Smith had a solid rookie campaign for the Lions in 2008, starting 12 games and logging 238 carries for 976 yards and eight touchdowns. Look for improved production for Smith across the board in 2009, especially if the Lions can show any signs of improvement.

Consider Smith a RB2, likely drafted by the end of the third round in most drafts.

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Ronnie Brown looking good in Miami

Reports out of Miami are that running back Ronnie Brown looked fit and faster then ever in recent organized team activities. The Palm Beach Post has also reported that running back Ricky Williams  looked “mostly invisible” and rookie second round pick Pat White “looked small” alongside other NFL players.

White, who is a former college quarterback from West Virginia University, is expected to develop into a role similar to that of Reggie Bush in New Orleans.

These reports out of Miami are good for owners planning on targeting Brown in upcoming fantasy drafts. In 2008 he returned from a torn ACL in 2007 and had 214 carries for 916 yards with a career high 10 rushing touchdowns.

Look for Brown to improve on last seasons totals in 2009. He should be targeted as a RB2, likely drafted by the end of round four in most drafts this summer.

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Mixed reports on Favre to Minnesota

Brett Favre’s agent Bus Cook has denied reports that surfaced over the weekend that Favre has already agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Monday that Favre will not report to the Vikings until at least next week because Vikings head coach Brad Childress will spend this week on a fishing trip in Alaska.

Regardless of the conflicting reports, it appears to be just a matter of time before Favre and the Vikings reach an agreement.

The Bruno Boys will be here to keep you posted with any changes in this situation. Favre would be an immediate improvement for the Vikings at quarterback, but the Vikings will still run a heavy run oriented offense, making Favre no more then a QB2 as a spot starter.

Stay tuned for more on this situation in the days and weeks to come.

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